Variable speed fluid pressure actuated impact device



March 1o, 1959 J. F. SHRRILL 2,876,742

VARIABLE SPEED` FLUID PRESSURE ACTUATED IMPACT DEVICE Mai'ch 10, 1959 J.F. sHERRlLL 2,876,742

VARIABLE SPEED FLUID PRESSURE ACTUATED IMPACT'DEVICE Filed oct.A 1s,1955 ,s sheets-sheet 2 T1114. im; .15 jJE IN VEN TOR.

Jan/vf @fee/L March 10, 1959 J. F. SHERRILL 2,876,742

. VARIABLE SPEED FLUID PRESSURE ACTUATED IMPACT DEVICE 55.17 [T1-E21:'E522 INVENTOR.

VARIABLE SPEED FLUID PRESSURE ACTUATED IMPACT DEVICE John F. Sherrill,Plymouth, Ind., assignor to Eva R. Lemert, Plymouth, Ind.

Application October 13, 1955, Serial No. 540,271

19 Claims. (Cl. 121-20) This invention relates to a variable speed fluidpressure actuated impact device, and more particularly to a device ofthis character of the type wherein the impact member is rotatable. Thisapplication is a continuation in part of my co-pending application,Serial No. 507,589, filed May l1, 1955, now abandoned.

Heretofore impact devices have generally operated at a substantiallyconstant speed regardless of the setting of the controls thereof.Variations in the control settings of such devices, such as rivetingmachines, have made possible variations in the force of the blow orvariations in the stroke of the peen or other impact tool, but otherfactors usually have not been controllable, and in particular, the rangeof variations of the speed of prior irnpact devices of the air pressureactuated type has been limited.

It is the primary object of this invention to provide a novel, simple,highly efcient air pressure responsive impact device having meanstherein for controlling the speed of impact or operation, and inparticular, for varying the number of blows or oscillations of thedevice per unit time over a wide range of speeds.

A further object is to provide a device of this character having controlmeans for varying the rate of operation of the device and the number ofblows per unit of time With-out substantial sacrifice of the amount ofpower or force derived from the pressure source.

A further object is to provide a device of this character having arotatable -control valve operable to control the ilow of fluid underpressure through ports and passages in the device to reciprocate a powerresponsive member in timed relation to the speed of rotation of thecontrol element.

A further object is to provide a device of this character by means ofwhich it is possible to cause the operation of a reciprocating impactdevice at speeds greatly in excess of the speeds at which said deviceshave heretofore been capable of operating.

A further object is to provide a device of this character which issimple in construction, easy to assemble, and which has a minimum numberof operating parts, so that the same may operate efficiently in asubstantially trouble-free manner for long periods of time.

Other objects will be apparent from the following specification.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a fragmentary side view of a spinning riveting machineemploying my new improvement;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal detail sectional view taken on line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view illustrating thecontrol valve in one operating position;

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view similar to Fig. 3 butillustrating the valve in a dilerent operating position;

Fig. 5 is an axial sectional view of a part only of the valve mechanism,taken on line 5 5 of Fig. 6;

States Patent ing machine.

2,876,742 Patented Mar. 10, 1959 ice Fig. 6 is an end view of the valvepart shown in Fig. 5 viewed from the bottom thereof;

Fig. 7 is a transverse sectional view of the body of the device taken online 7 7 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 8 is an axial sectional view of the valve rotor taken on line 8 8of Fig. 9;

Fig. 9 is an end View of the valve rotor;

Fig. l0 is a transverse sectional View of the valve rotor taken on line1.0 10 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 1l is a transverse sectional view taken on line 1.1 11 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 12 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 12-12 of Fig. 2,illustrating the position of the parts at the start of down stroketiring;

Fig. 13 is a transverse sectional View taken on line 12-12 of Fig. 2 andillustrating the position of the parts at the end of the down strokefiring;

Fig. 14 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 12-12 of Fig. 2 andillustrating the start of upstroke firing;

Fig. 15 is a transverse sectional View taken on line 12-12 of Fig. 2 andillustrating the position of the parts at the end of upstroke firing;

Fig. 16 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 16-16 of Fig. 3 andillustrating the position of the parts at the start of downstrokefiring;

Fig. 17 is a fragmentary axial sectional View -of a modified embodimentof the invention;

Fig. 18 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 18 18 of Fig. 17,and illustrating the parts at the start of the upstroke of the pressureresponsive member;

Fig. 19 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 19 19 of Fig. 17and illustrating the parts at the start of the upstroke of the pressureresponsive member;

Fig. 20 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 18-18 andillustrating the position of the parts at the start of the down strokeof the pressure responsive member;

Fig. 21 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view taken on line 21-21of Fig. 20 and showing the position of the valve at the start of thedown stroke;

Fig. 22 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional View taken on line 22-22of Fig. 20, illustrating the position of the valve at the start of thedownstroke; and

Fig. 23 is an axial sectional View of the rotatable valve taken on line23-23 of Fig. 20.

Referring to the drawings which illustrate the preferred embodiment ofthe invention, and particularly Figs. 1 to 16, which illustrate anembodiment of the invention having one type of control valve, thenumeral 10 designates an upright or standard forming a part of a supportor rivet- Assuming that a riveting device is involved in which it isdesirable to shift a riveting mechanism 12 vertically between operativeand inoperative positions with respect to a Work-supporting table orplatform (not shown), the support 10 will carry a slidable carrier 14which preferably will rest upon the upper end of a coil spring 16 whichin turn is supported and positioned by a collar or other abutment 18fixedly secured upon the column 10. The slidable carrier 14 will pref,.-erably have a pair of spaced axially aligned bearing members 20 slidablyencircling the column. Clamp members 22 project from the carrier and areadapted to embrace and grip the riveting mechanism 12. A member 23 willpreferably interconnect the clamp members 22 so as to space the same andthe bearings 20 in predetermined spaced relation.

The slidable carrier or frame unit will preferably include a portioncarrying a base member 24 upon which an electric motor 26 is mounted.Base 24 may also serve to carry a support or bracket 28 for an idlerpulley 30.

' The peen or impact member 32 of the hammer 12 will preferably have apulley 34 mounted thereon, around which is trained a drive belt 36leading to a pulley 38 mounted on the shaft of the motor 26, said belt36 being trained around the idler 30. The arrangement of the parts issuch that the motor 26 will serve to' drive the pulley 34 and rotate thepeen 32 of the riveting mechanism.

The carrier will also preferably include the upwardly extending portion40, such as a sleeve, at the top thereof, from which extends laterally aplatform 42 mounting a variable speed motor 44 substantially coaxial andabove the riveting member 12', with its shaft 46 having a driveconnection with a control part of theriveting mechanism, to bedescribed. Any suitable controller 4S may be provided for regulating orcontrolling the speed of operation of motor 44 at will, as Wellunderstood in the arts.

The impact hammer or rivet mechanism has a cylindrical body 50. As hereshown, the body 50 constitutes a tube open at its opposite ends andhaving a central longitudinal bore 52 therethrough. At one end the body50 has an internally screw-threaded enlarged bore portion 54, Withinwhich is screw-threaded an end member 56 which has an axial boretherethrough mounting a bearing sleeve 58 within which the shaft 46 isjournaled. The end member 56 has a bore 60 therethrough whichcommunicates at its inner end with the bore of the body 50. The mouthportion 62 of the bore 60 is preferably enlarged and screw-threaded toaccommodate connection of a conduit 64 extending to a source of airunder pressure.

The body 50 has a longitudinal intake passage 66 formed therein andterminating spaced from one end thereof. As here shown, passage 66 isclosed by a plug 68 at the end thereof mounting the head S6. Passage 66communicates with a bore 70 leading to the interior of the bore 52adjacent the neck portion 54. The opposite end of the passage 66 isopen. A longitudinal exhaust passage 72, preferably displacedapproximately 180 degrees from the intake passage 66, is closed at theend thereof adjacent 4the head S6, as by a plug 74. A port 76communicates with the interior of the bore 52 at the end adjacent theneck 54 in longitudinally inwardly spaced relation to the location ofthe port 70. A radial exhaust port 78 is spaced circumferentially fromthe port 76, preferably slightly less than 90 degrees, and is spacedfrom the end of the body S the same distance as the port 76. A pair ofradial ports 79 and 80 are formed in the body 50 intermediate the endsthereof and adjacent theinner ends of the strokes of a pressureresponsive piston member 82 which is reciprocable in the bore 52 betweenthe inner and outer limit positions.

An end cap 84 is screw-threaded externally upon the body S0 at the endthereof opposite that which mounts the member 56. The end cap 84- andend member 88 cooperate' to dehe a chamber in the tubular body` Themember 84 has an axial bore therethrough of different diameters and isshouldered at 86 to provide a seat for an end plate member 88 which ispressed against the end of the tubular body 50 and which has recesses 90in its inner face adapted to communicate with the bores 66 and 72 andwith the chamber 52 in the interior of the tubular body S0. The disk orend plate 88 has a central bore therein lined by bearing sleeve 92 whichreceives the inner end portion 94 of the peen member 32. The peen member32 has a circumferential shoulder 96 delining a stop limiting inwardmovement of the peen member 32 when pressed upon by a coil spring 98encircling a portion of the peen member and seating against a shoulder99 in the cap member 84.

A rotary valve controls fluid ow through the device from inlet passage60 to outlet 78. As here shown, the valve has a housing or socket of theconstruction best illustrated in Figs. and 6 which seats in the end ofthe bore S2 adjacent to the end member 56. The valve housing is acupshaped member having an end wall 100, va cylindrical wall 102, and anoutturned circumferential ia'nge 104 at its open end. A port or aperture106 is formed in the side wall 102 at such a location as to registerwith the inlet port 70 when the housing is properly oriented in the bodywith the ange 104 bearing against the shoulder of the body 50 adjacentto the projecting sleeve portion 54. In substantially diametricallyopposed relation to port 106 and longitudinally spaced therefrom is aport 108 to normally register with the exhaust port 76 in the body. Aport 110 is circumferentially spaced from the port 10S at the samelongitudinal position as the port 108. An aperture 112 is formed in thebase or end member 106 spaced from the center thereof and radiallyoriented similarly to the opening 110. The cup-shaped housing fits verysnugly within the bore 52, as by a press lit, so that substantially noleakage of fluid under pressure will be experienced between the same andthe interior wall surface of the body 50.

A valve element has a snug rotative lit within the valve socket, such ashousing 190, 102, and preferably is of the construction illustrated inFigs. 8, 9 and l0. It will Vbe understood, however, that the valveelement may be stationary and the housing 160, 192 may be a rotatingsleeve. The valve element comprises a solid cylindrical body 114 of alength substantially equal to the depth of the cavity of the valvehousing and has a detachable driving connection with shaft 46. Ffhusbody 114 may have projecting therefrom at its outer end one or more lugs116 which interfit with configured end portions of the shaft 46 to bedriven by said shaft upon rotation of the shaft. The valve member 114has a passage 11S open at its outer or upper end, as viewed in Fig. 4,which terminates in a lateral portion 120 open at the periphery of thebody and adapted to register and communicate with the ports 166 and itlin one rotative position of the valve member 114. 1n substantiallydiametrically opposed relation to the bore 11S is provided alongitudinal boie 122 extending completely through the valve member 114spaced from the axis of member 114 and adapted to register with the port112 in the bottom 1% of the valve housing when properly orientedtherewith. A longitudinal passage 124 extends from the bottom or innerend of the valve member 114 to a point opposite the ports 1Gb and 110 inthe valve housing at which a lateral outlet 126 from the passage 124 isformed. The spacing of the longitudinal passages 122 and 124 from theaxis of member 114 will be substantially equal so that they aresuccessively brought in register with the housing passage 112 incidentto rotation of the member 114. A circumferential groove 12S of anarcuate extent greater than the spacing between the passages 10S and 110is formed in the valve member 114 to extend substantially 90 degreestherearound, with one end portion thereof located adjacent the passage122 and the opposite end thereof extending in a direction away from thelongitudi nal passages 122 and 124.

Assuming that the device is in the position illustrated in Figs. 2 and 4with the piston or pressure responsive member 82 being located at thelower end of the stroke, the valve will be located in the position shownin Fig. 14. Fluid, such as air, under pressure from the conduit 64passes through the bore 60 in the head member 56 into the portion 53 ofthe bore of the tube at the outer end of the valve member 114. The airpasses 'through the valve element passage 113, 120, through port 166 inthe valve housing and port 70 in the body 50, and thence through thelongitudinal passage 66 to and through the recess 90 in the disk S8 toact against the bottom end of the piston or pressure responsive member82. -At the same time, or slightly sooner, the longitudinal passage 124is approaching register with the passage 112 in the bottom of the valvehousing and the lateral outlet 126 is approaching register with theexhaust passage 78 in the body 50 so as to open to atmosphere theportion of the bore above the pressure responsive member 82 for theescape of pressure in advance of the upward `movement of the member 82.At the same time the circumferential groove 128 of the valve elementapproaches register with the ports 76 and 108. The parts are so orientedthat the port 118 will have passed out of communication with the ports106 and 70 before the exhaust passages 124, 126 pass out ofcommunication with the exhaust port 78, so that throughout the upstrokeof the pressure responsive member, the upper portion of the chamber willhave been open to atmosphere to exhaust air therefrom. The position ofthe valve part 114 at the end of the upstroke is illustrated in Fig. 15,in which it will be seen also that passage `118 is out of supplyrelation to the ports communicating with the passage 66, the passage 126is just leaving communicating relation with the outlet 78, and thecircumferential groove 128 communicates with the passage 72 and itsleading end approaches communication with the exhaust outlet 78.

A slight additional rotation of the parts from the Fig. 15 position in aclockwise direction shifts the parts to the position shown in Fig. 12for commencement of the downstroke of the device. At this time the partsof the mechanism are positioned substantially as illustrated in Fig. 3.This rotative position of the valve 114 has brought the leading end ofthe circumferential groove 128 into communication with the exhaust port78, thereby opening communication between the bottom chamber of thedevice and the atmosphere through the passage 72. At the same time thepassage 122 in the valve moves into register with the opening 112 in thebottom of the valve housing so that air under pressure within thechamber 53 passes directly through the valve to act upon the uppersurface of the pressure responsive member 82 and drive the samedownwardly. By the time the rotative valve member 114 reaches theposition shown in Fig. 13, the pressure responsive member 82 Will havereached the lower end of its stroke and have imparted a blow to the endof the peen 94. No further movement will occur thereafter until thevalve member 114 rotates back to the Fig. 14 rotative'position of theparts, whereupon a new cycle commences.

It will be apparent that the timing of any given cycle of operationdepends upon the speed of rotation of the valve member 114. Since thevalve member 114 is driven from an external source, it can be rotated atany selected speed, particularly if connected with a variable speeddrive, such as a Variable speed electric motor 44. The speed variationsmade possible in this device, insofar as the number of impacts per unitof time is concerned, depend upon speed variations of the drive member,and a wide range of speeds may be obtained by manipulating controller 45where the drive member has a wide range of speed variation.

The ports 79 and 80 prevent recoil of the pressure responsivereciprocating member 82. The ports 79 and 80 are so located that whenthe pressure responsive member 82 is at the lower end of its stroke, asillustrated in Fig. 2, the port 80 will be sealed thereby but the port79 will be slightly open. Thus as any recoil action occurs, bleeding ofthe air in the chamber 52 above the pressure responsive member or piston82 through the bore 79 stops and recoil is prevented. Upon the reversestroke of the piston 82, the ports 79 is closed and, at the end of thestroke, a part of the port 80 is open to vent air pressure below thepiston 82 only so lon-g as the piston member does not recoil. Closing ofthe bleed passage 80 in the event of recoil brings into play thepressure remaining within the bore to resist or damp continuance ofrecoil.

It is interesting to observe that apart from the pressure responsivemember 82 and the peen 32 to be driven thereby, the only moving parts inthis mechanism consist Of-the driving shaft 46 and the valve element114. This makes possible a construction in which wear of the parts isreduced to a minimum and low cost and simple construction is madefeasible. Observe in this connection that the valve 114 is readilyIaccessible for repair and inspection by removing the end member 56 anddisconnecting the shaft 46 from the valve element 114. The connectionbetween the latter parts is preferably of the rib and groove type whichis effected and disengaged easily and without requiring the use ofconnectors between the parts. Removal of the end member 56 makespossible gripping of the Valve element 114 at the projection 116 thereoffor removal for purposes 4of inspection, replacement or repair. -It willbe understood that means for rotating the peen 32, as here illustrated,may be omitted if desired, by simply disconnecting the belt 36.

The embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 16, inclusive,is directed to a construction in which one -cycle of the pressureresponsive member occurs upon each revolution of the valve member. Inthis instance the maximum speed of reciprocation is limited so that thenumber of cycles equals the number of revolutions of the driving member.This relationship can be varied, and the speed of the pressureresponsive member can be greatly increased by providing an arrangementaccommodating multiple reciprocations of the pressure responsive memberduring each revolution of the valve member. This can be accomplishedsimply and easily by properly selecting the number and location of thepassages and ports in the valve and in the body. As an illustration ofthe manner in which this may be accomplished, I have shown a modiedembodiment of the invention in Figs. 17 to 23, inclusive, which is soconstructed as to provide two oscillations 4or cycles of reciprocationof the pressure responsive member for each revolution of the valveelement.

In the construction illustrated in Figs. 17 to 23, the parts areconstructed substantially the same as illustrated in the preferredembodiment of the invention, and, to the extent that the parts aresimilar, the same reference numerals will be applied thereto. Thetubular body member 50 has an end member 56 mounted on one end thereofand provided with the air inlet passage 60 for supplying air to achamber portion S3 between the end member 56 and the valve element 114and associated parts. The end chamber 56 has the bushing 58 thereinjournalling the rotatable shaft 46 of a variable speed drive means, suchas a motor 44, by means of which the valve element 114 is rotated. Avalve housing having bottom wall and cylindrical wall 102 seats in thebore 52 and journals the valve element 114. The portion of the structurebelow the valve housing in Fig. 2 will be substantially the same in themodied embodiment.

The body 50 has two longitudinal inlet passages 66 and 66 formedtherein, each open at its lower end for communication with the interiorof the bore 52 in the manner illustrated in Fig. 2, and each closed by aplug 68 at its upper end to separate the same from the chamber 53. Thepassages 66 and 66 are preferably substantially diametrically opposed,as illustrated in Fig. 18. Exhaust passage 72 constitutes a thirdlongitudinal passage in the body wall and preferably is locatedsubstantially 45 degrees displaced from one of the inlet passages, hereshown as inlet passage 66. 'I'he lower end of the passage 72communicates with the bore 52 and the upper end of the passage is closedby a plug 74 to separate the same from the chamber 53. The passages 66and 66 extend longer than the passage 72, as seen by comparison of Figs.17 and 22. Exhaust port 78 is formed in the tubular body 50 at the levelof the upper end of the passage 72 but is displaced therefromapproximately 45 degrees, as best seen in Fig. 19. Each of the,passages66 and 66 opens to the bore 52 at a port 70, and the upper end of thepassage 72 opens to the bore 52 at a passage` 76. l

The cup-shaped valvehousing has two diametrically opposed ports 106formed therein at the level of the ports 70 and registering therewith. Aport 108 in the housing wall 102 registers with the port 76 whichcommunicates with the passage 72. The port 110is formed in housing' wall102 and registers with the exhaust port 78. Two ports 112 are formed inthe bottom wall 100 of the valve liis'ing equispaced from the centerthereof and substantially diametrically opposed.

The rotary valve member 114 has a longitudinal passage 150 extendingtherethrough and spaced from the center thereof the same distance thatthe ports 112 are spaced from the center of the end wall 101) of thevalve housing, so that upon each revolution of the valve member 114 thepassage 15) will successively register and communicate with the two endwall ports 112. A lateral port 152 projects from the passage 150 at thelevel of the ports 106 of the valve housing so as to communicate withsaid housing ports las? successively. As seen in Fig. 18, a line drawnbetween the centers of the end wall ports 112 is Substantially at rightangles to a line drawn between the ports 106 and, consequently, thearrangement is such that air entering the passage 6d and the chamber 53and thence owing into the passage 150 is alternately delivered at a port106 and a port 112, as illustrated in Figs. 17 and 20, respectively. Thevalve body 114 has a pair of longitudinal passages 154 arranged indiametrically opposed relation and spaced apart the same distance as thepassages 112 with which the same are adapted to register in the rotativeposition or the parts illustrated in Figs. 17 and 18. The passages 154terminate in laterally outwardly extending ports 156 at the level of theports 108 and 11i) and adapted to register therewith, as illustrated atthe lower portion of Fig. 19. Two similar grooves 158, each slightlymore than 90 degrees in extent, are formed in the periphery of themember 114 at the level of the ports 108 and 110 and are adapted duringa predetermined portion of each rotation of the member' 114 to establishcommunication between the ports 108 and 110, as illustrated in Fig. 20.

In the operation of the device, the parts are positioned as illustratedin Figs. 17, 18 and 19 at the start of the upstroke of the pressureresponsive member or piston. Air under pressure enters the passage 60,chamber 53, passage 150, and then passes through ports 152, 1456 and 7|]and into the longitudinal passage 66 leading to the 'bottom of the bore52 so as to permit the air to act upon the pressure responsive member orpiston and force the same upwardly. At that time, as illustrated in Fig.19, one of the passages 154, 156 in the valve member 114 will registerwith the exhaust port 73, 110 and both of the passages 154 will registerwith the bottom passages 112 in the valve housing. Air contained in thebore 52 above the pressure responsive member is therefore dischargedthrough one of the ports 112, one of the valve passages 154-156, theport 110 and the exhaust port 78. The ports 112 and 154 will preferablybe slightly larger than the port 152 communicating with the valvepassage 150 so that the same will be in communication to establishexhaust to atmosphere through exhaust port 7S slightly in advance ofcommencement of register of the supply' ports 150, 152 with the ports1616 and 70 leading to' intake passage 66. This size relation alsopermits said exhaust ports to remain open after the inlet ports 156, 152pass out of communication with the housing ports 106 and 70. Thus thefull upstroke ofthe pressure responsive member is provided by the airsupplied to the bottom or the bore 52 during the time in which thepassage 152 communicates with the inlet passage 66 or 66'.

Further rotation of the valve member 114 brings the parts to theposition illustrated in Figs. 2O to 22 for the down stroke of thepressure responsive member. In this position the passage 150communicates with one of the bottom wall ports 112 to supply air underpressure to the upper part of the bore 52. The part of the bore belowthe piston is placed in communication with atmosphere through passage72, ports 76 and 198, one of the grooves 158, port 110 and outlet port78. `In this connection the grooves 158 will be so oriented relative tothe passage 150 as to establish a path for discharge of air from thebottom 8 of the bore 52 slightly in advance of registration of passagewith port 112, and will remain in communication with the ports 108 and110 until a time shortly after the passage 150 passes out ofcommunication with the port 112.

Thereupon, continued rotation of the member 114 will bring the passage150 to a point substantially diametrically opposed to the positionillustrated in Fig. 18, at which it will supply air under pressure tothe passage 66 for another upstroke of the piston. Still furtherrevolution of the valve member will bring the passage 150 intocommunication with the second of the two bottom wall ports 112. Thus, bythe time 360 degrees of revolution of the valve element have occurred,two complete cycles of the piston member will have occurred.

The multiple cycling or oscillation of the reciprocating member relativeto each rotation of the valve makes possible very high speeds ofoscillation of the pressure responsive member or piston, and these highspeeds may be controlled by controlling the rate of rotation of thevalve driving shaft 46, as by regulation of the variable speed motor.The speed of the motor need not be as great in a multiple cycle device,thus eliminating 4bearing wear and other adverse conditions in instancesWhere extremely high speed operation is required. It is interesting toobserve that this result occurs without sacrifice of the total force ofthe impacts or blows imparted to a peen driving any given period oftime, which total force remains substantially constant at both low andhigh speeds in both the single cycle and the multiple cycle embodimentsand depends upon the air pressure and related conditions. Thecombination of wide range of speed variations and very high upper speedranges without sacrifice of strength of impact make possible theaccomplishment of mechanical operations not hitherto possible withimpact mechanisms, such as riveting machines and spinning riveters.

While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustratedand described, it will 4be understood that changes in the constructionmay be made within the scope of the appended claims without departingfrom the spirit of the invention.

l claim:

l. A luid pressure actuated device comprising a housing having a chamberand intake and exhaust passages each communicating at its opposite endswith said chamber, an exhaust port adjacent to said exhaust passage, apressure responsive member reciprocable in said chamber, a valve housingseated in one end of said chamber and having an inner end wall and atubular side wall, said end wall having an aperture eccentric thereofand said tubular wall having ports communicating respectively with saidintake and exhaust passages and with said exhaust port, said tubularwall intake port being spaced lengthwise from said remaining tubularwall ports, a valve element rotatable in said valve housing and having aiirst passage extending lengthwise therethrough and adapted to registerwith the end wall aperture of said valve housing in one rotativeposition, said valve element having a second passage extending from itsouter end and adapted to register with said intake passage in a secondrotative position and a third passage extending from its inner end andregistering with the inner end wall aperture of said valve housing andsaid exhaust port in said second position, said valve element having agroove in its outer surface adapted to establish communication betweensaid exhaust passage and exhaust port in another rotative position ofsaid valve, means for supplying fluid under pressure into said housingat the outer end of said valve and into said iirst and second passagesof said valve element, means for rotating said valve, and an impactmember actuated `by said pressure responsive member.

2. A fluid pressure actuated device as defined in claim l, wherein saidhousing chamber is defined by a bore extending therethrough, end membersmounted on the ends of said housing, the end member adjacent said valve9 having a pair of openings, said valve rotating means including arotatable member journaled in one opening and connected to said valve,said .second opening constituting part of said fluid supply means.

3. A uid pressure actuated device comprising a housing having a chamberand a plurality of passages each communicating at its opposite ends withsaid chamber, a pressure responsive member reciprocable in said chamber,said housing having a valve socket having spaced ports eachcommunicating with one of said passages and ports communicating directlywith said chamber and with a uid pressure outlet, respectively, a valveelement rotatable in said socket, means for rotating said valve element,and means for supplying fluid under pressure to said housing for iiowtherein under control of said valve, said valve having a plurality offluid-directing means successively communicating with said socket portsupon rotation thereof to effect reciprocation of said pressureresponsive member, and an impact member actuated by said pressureresponsive member.

4. A uid pressure actuated device as defined in claim 3, wherein saidiluid supply means and valve rotating means are located adjacent to oneend of said housing and said valve socket is located between said fluidsupply means and said housing chamber.

5. A fluid pressure actuated device comprising a housing having achamber, a plurality of passages and an outlet, a piston reciprocable insaid chamber, a valve rotatable in said housing and having a pluralityof passages, means for rotating said valve, means for supplying fluidunder pressure to said housing for ilow therein under control of saidvalve, the passages of said housing and valve cooperating to define aplurality of ow paths leading to opposite ends of said chamber andleading from opposite ends of said chamber to said outlet, said valvesuccessively opening and closing said paths in a predetermined sequenceto cause reciprocation of said piston, and impact means actuated by saidpiston.

6. A uid pressure actuated device comprising a housing having a chamber,a plurality of passages and an outlet, a piston reciprocable in saidchamber, a valve rotatable'in said housing and having a plurality ofpassages,fmeans for rotating said valve, means for supplying uid underpressure to said housing for ow therein un- Ider control of said valve,the passages of said housing and valve cooperating to define a pluralityof ow paths leading to opposite ends of said chamber and leading fromopposite ends of said chamber to said outlet, said valve successivelyopening and closing said paths to cause a plurality of oscillations ofsaid piston upon each revolution of said valve.

7. A iuid pressure actuated device comprising a housing having achamber, a plurality of passages and an outlet, a piston reciprocable insaid chamber, a valve rotatable in said housing and having a pluralityof passages, means for rotating said valve, means for supplying uidunder pressure to said housing for flow therein under control of saidvalve, the passages of said housing and valve cooperating to define aplurality of ow paths leading to opposite ends of said chamber andleading from opposite ends of said chamber to said outlet, said valvesuccessively opening and closing said paths in a predetermined sequenceto cause reciprocation of said piston, and impact means actuated by saidpiston, said housing having a valve receiving socket including acylindrical wall and an end wall, said Valve constituting a cylindricalplug having a snug tit in said socket, at least one housing passageopening at each of said cylindrical and end Walls.

8. A uid pressure actuated device comprising a housing having a chamber,a plurality of passages and an outlet, a piston reciprocable in saidchamber, a valve rotatable in said housing and having a plurality ofpassages, means for rotating said valve, means for supplying uid underpressure to said housing for ow therein under control of said valve, thepassages of said housing and valve cooperating to define a plurality offlow paths leading to opposite ends of said chamber and leading fromopposite ends of said chamber to said outlet, said valve successivelyopening and closing said paths in a predetermined sequence to causereciprocation of said piston, and impact means actuated by said piston,said housing having a valve receiving socket including a cylindricalwall, said valve constituting a cylindrical plug, one of said passagesand said outlet opening at said cylindrical Wall, said plug having aperipheral groove extending par tially therearound to establishcommunication between said last named passage and said outlet atselected rotative position of said plug.

9. A uid pressure actuated device comprising a housing having a chamber,a plurality of passages and an outlet, a piston reciprocable in saidchamber, a valve rotatable in said housing and having a plurality ofpassages, means for rotating said valve, means for supplying uid underpressure to said housing for ow therein under`control of said valve, thepassages of said housing and valve 4cooperating to define a plurality offlow paths leading to opposite ends of said chamber and leading fromopposite ends of said chamber to said outlet, said valve successivelyopening and closing said paths in a predetermined sequence to causereciprocation of said piston, and impact means actuated by said piston,said housing having a valve receiving socket including a cylindricalWall and an end Wall, said valve constituting a cylindrical plug havinga passage extending from end to end eccentrically thereof and adaptedonce in each revolution thereof to register with an eccentric housingpassage located in said socket end wall.

l0. A uid pressure actuated device comprising a housing having achamber, a plurality of passages and an outlet, a piston reciprooable insaid chamber, a valve rotatable in said housing and having a pluralityof passages, means for rotating said valve, means for supplying uidunder pressure to said housing for ow therein under control of saidvalve, the passages of said housing and valve cooperating to dene aplurality of flow paths leading to opposite ends of said chamber andleading from opposite ends of said chamber to said outlet, said valvebeing located adjacent one end of said chamber, a transverse memberseparating said valve and chamber and having an aperture, said valvehaving passages alternately registering with the aperture of saidtransverse member and respectively communicating with said fluid supplymeans and with said outlet.

l1. A iluid pressure actuated device comprising a housing having achamber, a plurality of passages and an outlet, a pistou reciprooable insaid chamber, a valve rotatable in said housing and having a pluralityof passages, means for rotating said valve, means for supplying fluidunder pressure to said housing for flow therein under control of saidvalve,l the passages of said housing and valve cooperating to deiine aplurality of ow paths leading to opposite ends of said chamber andleading from opposite ends of said chamber to said outlet, said valvebeing located adjacent one end of said chamber, two longitudinalpassages leading from said valve to the remote end of said chamber, saidvalve alternately opening said last named passages, one of said lastnamed passages communicating with said iluid supply means when open andthe other of said last named passages communicating with said outletwhen open.

12. A uid pressure actuated device comprising a housing having achamber, a plurality of passages and an outlet, a piston reciprocable insaid chamber, a valve rotatable in said housing and having a pluralityof passages, means for rotating said valve, means for supplying uidunder pressure to said housing for ilow therein under control of saidvalve, the passages of said housing and valve cooperating to denne aplurality of flow paths leading to opposite ends of said chamber andleading from opposite ends of said chamber to said outlet, said housingpassages including a plurality of spaced inlet passages leading to eachend of said chamber, said valve having a uidV intake passage alternatelycommunicating with inlet passages leading to opposite ends of saidcharnber.

13. A huid pressure actuated device comprising a housing having achamber, a plurality of passages and an outlet, a piston reciprocable insaid chamber, a valve rotatable in said housing and having a pluralityof passages, means for rotating said valve, means for supplying fluidunder pressure to said housing for iiow therein under control ot saidvalve, the passages of said housing and valve cooperating to define aplurality of flow paths leading to opposite ends of said chamber andleading from opposite ends of said chamber to said outlet, said housingpassages including a plurality of spaced inlet passages leading to eachend of said chamber, said valve having a fluid inlet passage alternatelycommunicating with said inlet passages leading to opposite ends of saidchamber, and a plurality of exhaust passages alternately connecting saidoutlet to opposite ends ot' said chamber.

14. A device as defined in claim 13, wherein said valve exhaust passagesare arranged in equiangular relation.

15. A device as defined in claim 5, wherein said valve rotating meansoperate at variable speed and independently of said piston.

16. A device as defined in claim 5, wherein said valve rotating means isa variable speed motor, and a controller for regulating the speed ofsaid motor.

17. A valve adapted to direct fluid flow alternately through differentpassages in diierent ow paths through a pressure actuated device to anexhaust outlet, comprising a valve housing seated in said device andhaving an end wall and a tubular side wall, said end wall having anaperture eccentric thereof and said tubular wall having portsrespectively registering and communicating with said passages and withsaid exhaust outlet, one tubular wall port being an intake port andbeing spaced lengthwise and circumferentially from said other tubularwall ports, a valve element rotatable in said housing, said valveelement having a passage extending lengthwise therethrough and adaptedto register with said end wall aperture in one rotative position, apassage extending from the end thereof opposite said housing end walland adapted to register with said intake port in a second rotativeposition, and a passage extending from the end thereof adjacent saidhousing end Wall and registering with the end wall aperture of saidvalve housing and with the tubular wall port communicating with saidexhaust outlet in said second rotative position, said valve elementhaving a groove in its peripheral surface adapted to establishcommunication between the tubular wall port registering with saidexhaust outlet and one of said tubular wall ports spaced iengthwise fromsaid intake wall port in another rotative position of said valveelement, and means for subjecting to uid pressure the end of said valveelement opposite said housing end wall.

18. A valve adapted to direct flow of fluid in a pressure actuateddevice having a housing with a chamber, a plurality of passages and anoutlet, a valve member rotatable in said housing and having a pluralityof passages, the passages of said housing and valve cooperating to denea plurality of flow paths leading to opposite ends of said chamber andleading from opposite ends of said chamber to said outlet, and means forrotating said valve to successively open and close said paths at leasttwice during each revolution.

19. A valve adapted to direct how of uid in a pressure actuated devicehaving housing with a chamber, a plurality of passages and an outlet, avalve socket having a tubular wall and an end wall, said tubular Wallhaving apertures communicating with said housing passages and said endwall having an eccentric aperture, a cylindrical valve plug rotatable insaid socket and exposed to fluid under pressure, said plug having aplurality of passages cooperating with said socket apertures and saidhousing passages to detine a plurality of ow paths leading to oppositeends of said chamber and leading from opposite ends of said chamber tosaid outlet, and means for rotating said plug to successively open andclose said ow paths.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,921,753 Holman Aug. 8, 1933 2,652,811 Beche Sept. 22, 1953 2,672,847Bergmann Mar. 23, 1954 2,679,826 Leavell June 1, 1954

